Loving an Imperfect Church - My study in 1 Corinthians

I just began a new series in 1 Corinthians called "Loving an Imperfect Church." I enjoy preparing for topical sermons but my favorite type of preaching is expository. When I work through a book I live in it longer. In my mind I have sailed into the Corinthian port, watched the ships being pulled over the Isthmus on the "haul across", I have made tents with Paul, spent time with Pricilla and Aquilla, listen to Paul preach and persuade people to believe that Jesus is the Christ. I've felt the opposition and rejection, watched him leave the synagogue in protest as he shook his clothes out and said "Your blood be on your own heads, from now on I'm going to the Gentiles." One night I heard Jesus say "Paul, don't leave, don't be afraid, I will protect. Stay and preach because I have many people in this city." I've seen the church grow strong. I've sit in their spontaneous and sometimes chaotic assemblies, I've listened to them prophesy, sing, speak in tongues, pray, commune, and love each other. The church become such a threat to the established Jewish religion that a united attacked was aimed at Paul. In my mind I witnessed Paul being accused before the Roman procouncil and watched Sosthenes get beat up. On and on I go imagining, envisioning what it must have been like for Paul. Paul is in Ephesus now but I'm going to stay in Corinth for the summer and learn all I can about how to love an imperfect church. I'm posting my sermons at http://sermonsbyjeffgarrett.blogspot.com/

From Siesta Key

Kim, Amber, Tori, Shayna, Mom and I are in Siesta Key. We are staying with (my sister) Susan and Bob. We got to visit with Heather. Hiedi and Jason are here with Scout and Gus. We have had a great vacation. Bob has taken us on his boat twice. Mom and Susan went on the first boat ride. Today, Hiedi, Scott and Gus went went and we all we swam in the Gulf of Mexico, two miles from the shore. The girls giggled and laughed. Mom brought Molly (her dog) and she loves it here.

Kim and I went out late last night and heard a couple of bands and went for a late night walk on the beach. The weather has been beautiful. Sunday morning we worship at Bob and Susan's church. Sunday night we walked to the beach and watch people drum and dance as the sun set. We've caught a few fish. We've walked and talked and ate and visited and laughed. Bob and Susan are living a dream in paradice. We are so happy they invited us. The rest of the family is coming to visit this summer.

From Charlotte NC

I am writing this post from the Westin Hotel in Charlotte NC. I will be speaking three times (one is a repeat) in the morning. This conference is for the Southeastern Directors of Volunteer Services in Healthcare Organizations. My friend Pat Chambers has invited me to speak for the hospital on serveral occassions. I really appreciate these opportunities and thank God for Pat. Tomorrow Pat is going to be inducted as the the president of the association. She is great! This conference includes directors and volunteers from hospitals in 13 states in the southeast. The first is a class called "Getting What You Want and Wanting What You Get." The second is a keynote presentation called "Serving Others is What Life is all about." I pray I do a good job in the morning. I talked to Kim and the girls this evening. I will be back home tomorrow night and I can't wait!

From Pepperdine (God, why are you so good to me?)

I am looking at the Pacific Ocean as I write. The campus at Pepperdine University is stunningly beautiful!

This is my fourth trip to the Pepperdine Lectures. I love it! My class title this year - “Contrasting Healthy and Unhealthy Churches: Nursing Your Church back to Health.” Everyone is encouraging. I have to pinch myself every now and then to make sure I’m not dreaming.

I am staying in the Drescher Apartments with three other ministers that I admire and look up to. I’m rooming with Rick Atchley, Buddy Bell and Chris Seidman. Tuesday night Rick, Chris and I went to Mexican restaurant in Malibu and ate together. After dinner we went to an ice cream shop. It was great being with Rick and Chris. I download their sermons every week and listen. They are excellent ministers of the gospel. They are also very kind and gracious. It is a privilege to spend time with them. And Buddy Bell, well, he’s as humble and down to earth as can be. A true disciple of Jesus. Friendly, personable and very kind. I look up to and admire all of these men who are far ahead of me. They are solid as rocks and they live a life of integrity. They make me want to be a better man. It is a great privilege to be in the same apartment with them.

I got to talk to Harold Shank after his sermon Wednesday night. Harold’s sermon was amazing, as usual. His plea for the church to take care of widows and orphans was convicting. I hadn’t seen Harold in years. He said, “Jeff Garrett, yes, you are at Norway Ave in Huntington.” I said “How did you know?” I was very surprised that he already knew I was preaching at Norway Ave. But he had heard my story and said that he was thankful that God had saved me. About that time Lynn Anderson put his hand on my shoulder and said to Harold and me “You fellows almost hooked up at one time.” He was referring to a time, ten years ago, when Harold invited me to be his assistant preacher. (My heart pounds as I write this). Harold said, “Yes that’s right.” Then he pointed to the man sitting standing near him and explained that he was the one who took the job. A weird feeling came over me. I thought “perhaps I should have taken advantage of the opportunity to work with Harold.” It seemed surreal standing with Harold and looking at the minister that took the job he invited me to take. I was thinking that could be me. Maybe if I would have taken that position as Harold’s assistant preacher I wouldn’t have fallen. Maybe that was my way out. You see, it was before my fall. It just seemed so weird standing there – maybe that was my way out and I didn’t take it. Maybe I was disobedient to God by not taking it. Anyway, things worked out and I am still ministering through my own brokenness. It’s all good now. God worked it all out but It was just so surreal that I wanted to write about it so that I don’t forget it and so I can learn from it. And besides, after all I’ve done and all of been through, I was surprised he eve remembered my name. It was encouraging to me.

Wednesday night all the teachers went to Andrew Benton’s house, the president of Pepperdine. The view from the presidents house is unbelievable. The moon was full and shining on the ocean – it is amazing. President Bush has stead in that house. The house was full of people. I sat on the couch with Lynn Anderson. Lynn is great – he’s my coach, my mentor.

When I get to heaven I am going to ask God why he has been so good to me.

Beautiful Night on the Ohio River

It's a beautiful night. The moon is shining on the river. Lighting is flashing in the east. It's a warm spring night. Summer is almost here. I just walked outside. We live on the river. My girls are sound asleep. Kim and I just talked about our upcoming vacation in June. Life is good. Really good. I'm four years and six months sober. God has saved me and my family and I am so grateful.

Tonight I will grade papers. My students at Marshall have completed their theory preference papers. The papers are 20-25 pages in length. The papers cover various topics such as Gestalt Therapy or Cognitive Therapy or Behavior Therapy or Adlerian Therapy or Existential Therapy to treat a variety of mental disorders. I better get started. I have to finish grading them all by Thursday. Over 300 pages of reading and grading. Between each paper I think I will go outside and enjoy the view.

Speaking in Waverly Ohio

I am preparing to speak in Waverly Ohio for the Pike County Recovery Council (PCRC). I think this is the 9th time I have conducted a six hour seminar on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I am working on a treatment manuel and finishing up an outcome study. The counselors at PCRC are great and I love working with them.

Daddy Date

I took my girls on a daddy date today. We went the Starbucks, EB Games, a dress shop and a movie. We saw "Are We Done Yet" which is the sequel to "Are We There Yet". We've seen both of them. I love being with my girls. They took a couple of friends. We ate popcorn and had a good time. Yesterday was Easter. We canceled church Sunday night to spend time with our families. Kim, the girls and I went bowling. The girls good bowlers. They beat me! We had a good time. I love Kim, Amber, Tori and Shayna.

Guilt

A man entered a coffee house, bought a cup of coffee with ice and then immediately threw it into the waiter's face. Quickly grabbing a napkin, he helped the waiter dry his face while he apologized with great remorse. "I'm so sorry," he said. "I have this compulsion to do this. I fight it, but I don't know what to do about it." "You had better do something about your problem," the waiter replied. "You can be sure I'll remember you and will never serve you another drink until you get help." It was months before the man faced the waiter again. When he asked for a coffee with ice, the waiter refused. Then the man explained that he had been seeing a psychiatrist and that his problem was solved. Convinced it was now okay to serve him, the waiter poured him a cup of coffee with ice. The man took the cup and splashed the coffee into the waiter's astonished face. "I thought you were cured," the shocked waiter screamed. "I am," said the man. "I still do it, but I don't feel guilty about it anymore."

Jay's Proposal

Last Sunday, at the end of service, our campus minister Jay Barrow proposed to his girlfriend, now fiance, in front of the church. It was an incredible moment. We are so happy for Jay and Lacy. They are perfect for each other. Watch Jay propose to Lacy at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2drTaTb-yc

Repitition can be meaningful

Our children love repitition. Every night. Same thing. Same words. Same kisses. Same prayers. Same routine. If we miss something they remind us and we do it just right. Kim and I have little bedtime routines with our children. We do it every night. It makes them feel safe and secure. We lay down (or sit down). Hold hands. Hug. Talk a little about the day (if it's not too late). We say a prayer. After the prayer we take care of fans, doors, and lights. Shayna likes her fan on three. Tori likes her's on two. Amber does not sleep with a fan on. Shayna likes her light off and her bedroom door open. Tori likes her light on and her bedroom door open. Amber likes her light off and her bedroom door closed. Every night we say a little statement that ends the day followed by "I love you's". When our girls were small I used to twirl them around and toss them in the air. They would say "do it again daddy!" So I did it again and again and again until I was tired. "For grown-up people," says Guthrie, "are not strong enough to exalt in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough.... It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again," to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again," to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike: it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we ." Repitition is not always vain. It can be meaningful. Traditions are not always bad. They can make us feel safe and secure.

The Superiority of Jesus

Hebrews 1:1-4 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Seven Statements that Affirm the Superiority of Jesus.

Jesus is the heir of all things.

Jesus is the creator of the universe.

Jesus is the radiance of God's glory.

Jesus is the exact representation of his being.

Jesus is the sustainer of all things.

Jesus is the one who provided purification for sins.

Jesus is the one who sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

God's Final Word

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… (Hebrews 1:1-2) Think of all the ways God revealed himself. He visited Abraham, he wrestled with Jacob, he thundered from Mount Sinai, and he whispered to Elijah on Mount Horeb. He spoke through nakedness of Isaiah and scandal of Hosea’s marriage to a prostitute named Gomer. God spoke at many times and in various ways. The Bible itself contains variety. God gave us a book with law, poetry, history, allegory, apocalyptic and wisdom literature, prophesy, sermons, letters of correspondence, and even romance literature. In the past God spoke at many times and in various ways. He revealed himself a little bit at a time. This is what theologians call progressive revelation. The story of divine revelation is a story of progression up to Christ, but there is no progression beyond. God has been disclosing himself bit by bit until Jesus came and then God revealed himself completely. The most important thing God ever said was “Jesus.” Jesus is God’s final word. Michael Card captured this thought in a song - When the Father in his wisdom wanted to communicate his love. He spoke it in one final perfect word. He spoke the incarnation and then so was born a Son. His final word was Jesus he needed no other one. He spoke flesh and blood so he could bleed and make a way divine. And so was born a baby who would die to make it mine.

Long Time No See

I've been busy with a host of things. My last post was last year. I'm going to try to blog a bit. Spring is here and the weather is great. Today I took three walks (6 miles) and shot some basketball with my girls. Kim and the girls are sleeping. I'm responding to emails and I remembered my blog. I hope all my blogging friends are doing well. It's good to be back. Talk to you soon.

New Year Prayers for 2007

I’ve started writing New Year Prayers rather than New Year Resolutions. I did it last year (see my blog post on December 31, 2005) and it worked. God answered many of my prayers. Although I didn’t receive everything I prayed for I did receive many things and I thank God for it all. I am so grateful for all that God has done. I still need God to help me in every area. My New Year Prayers for 2007 are below. Spiritually – Father, help me to follow my Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to love him better. Help me to trust and obey him in all things so that I can please you. Make me sensitive and responsive to the Holy Spirit who lives in me. Protect me from the evil one. Keep me sober. Use me to lead others. Open up more doors of opportunity so that I can use the gifts and talents you’ve given me. s Mentally – Father, give me wisdom. Do not hide things from me. Make me hungry to learn, grow and change. Teach me. Show me. Help me to apply what I learn in practical ways. Socially – Father, help me to love Kim as Jesus love his bride. Help me to father my children like you father me. Bless my relationships with family and friends so that we grow closer each day. Physically – Father, keep my family and me healthy. Give me motivation to exercise regularly and take care of my body. Financially – Father, make me prosper and help us to manage our money wisely. Help me to be generous with all that I have. It all belongs to you. Help me to be a good steward. In Jesus name, Amen.

How it Works

The following passage is read before every AA meeting. It comes Chapter 5, pages 58-60 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. I’ve heard it a thousand times but it never gets old to me. It only becomes more meaningful. How It Works Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty. There chances are less than average. There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest. Our stories disclose in a general way what we used to be like, what happened, and what we are like now. If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it - then you are ready to take certain steps. At some of these we balked. We thought we could find an easier, softer way, but we could not. With all the earnestness at our command, we beg of you to be fearless and thorough from the start. Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely. Remember that we deal with alcohol - cunning, baffling, powerful! Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has all power - that one is God. May you find Him now! Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked His protection and care with complete abandon. Here are the steps we took, which are suggested as a program of recovery: 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable. 2. Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. 3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. 6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. 7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. 8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. 9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. 10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. 11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. 12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Many of us exclaimed, "What an order! I can't go through with it." Do not be discouraged. No one among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to these principles. We are not saints. The point is that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. The principles we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection. Our description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the agnostic, and our personal adventures before and after make clear three pertinent ideas: a. That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives. b. That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism. c. That God could and would if He were sought.

God blessed our Christmas service.

God blessed our Christmas service last Sunday. We could sense the presence of God as we worshiped. We praised the Lord Jesus. We encouraged one another. The assembly was filled with thanksgiving and love. The theme of the service was “Joy in Christ” and we were joyful! Matt Hayes did an awesome job leading and directing us. Everyone worked so hard. I can’t name them all – but everyone did an excellent job. The shepherds spent an entire year preparing for this service. We used instrumental music during this service. It was a big step for an a cappella church. The care and sensitivity our shepherds demonstrated during the past year made this step possible. The step I’m referring to is not merely the use of instrumental music. I’m referring to a larger, more important issue that focuses on the person of Jesus and his love for people. The need to wrap the gospel of Jesus Christ around the most powerful forms of communication so that we can connect with them and show them the love of Christ. Our purpose is to know him, follow him, share him and worship him. That’s our mission. Everything is focused on Jesus Christ. I thank God for our Christmas service last Sunday. I’ve played it over and over in my mind. I can see their faces and hear all the people praising the Lord. I am so grateful for our church. I’m so happy to be one of the ministers here. I love my job. I pray that the Lord will continue to bless us and use us so that many people will come to know Jesus Christ.

The God-Man at Christmas

Is Jesus God or is he man? The answer to that question is “yes.” Jesus is the God-man. God in human flesh. Isaiah said “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). When Isaiah said “a child is born” he was speaking of his humanity. When he said "he will be called ... Mighty God” he was speaking of his divinity. He is the God-Man. As a child, he was born in Bethlehem. As God, he has ruled from eternity. He did not have his beginning in Bethlehem, that’s just where he was born. Fully human and fully God. That’s why the wise men came to worship him (Matthew 2:1-2). That’s why we worship Jesus.

The first time Jesus came as a baby. But he is coming back as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. When he came the first time there was no room for Him in the inn. When he comes back, all of the earth will be full of his glory. When he came the first time only a few people saw him. But one day, when he comes back, the whole world will see him. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. All of your neighbors will bow. Every world leader will bow. Every athelete from Mickey Mantle to Michael Jordon will bow. Every rock star from Jimmy Page to Eddy Van Halen will bow. You will bow and confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father. God became man in the person of Jesus Christ. He died for our sins and rose from the grave. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Fully God. Fully human. There is a man in heaven. Jesus Christ! Worship him today. It's Christmas.

We saw the movie and it was great!

Tonight we saw the movie. Kim, Amber, Tori, Shayna, Allen, Jeanie, Todd, Theresa, mom and I went to the theater. I loved it! We all love it. It's my favorite movie. I'm so proud of Allen. He's my hero. The movie made me cry and laugh. It was so inspiring.

Allen has been speaking at several events and now he is going to be speaking at Erich Robinson's church. When Erich read the article about Allen in the Christian Chronicle he sent it to his elders. Erich invited him to South Lake Church in Texas. I know he will inspire and encourage them. If you would like Allen to speak at your church his email address is Allen.D.Meadowns@pmusa.com

Worshiping Jesus Creates Unity

I heard Ravi Zacherias tell a beautiful story a that occurred many years ago. During the cold war, one of the team members of the Billy Graham Crusade was in Romania. It was a cold, blistery snowy day and he was bundled up, trying to keep warm as he was walking down the street. But one Romanian walked by with his hands in his pockets and he was whistling a tune. He wondered how that fellow could whistle in the cold. Then he paused and listened. He was whistling an old hymn “The great physician now is here, the sympathizing Jesus.” He said, “I ran after him and I asked ‘Do you know Christ?’” The fellow shrugged his shoulders because he did not speak English. He didn’t know what to do. Then he decided to whistle the hymn. And the fellow’s eyes lit up. His face just beamed. He whistled the melody with him. They hugged one another. Pointed towards heaven and walked away together whistling. Two worlds were bridged by the mystery of worship. That’s what Jesus does for us. Worshiping Jesus creates unity. Just the tune of a hymn about Jesus can cause you to wrap your arms around a total stranger because you know that they are in the family of God.

Garbage for Grace

We have more garbage cans than anybody in our neighborhood. When I drag the garbage cans out for pick up, everybody else has one or two cans. But we have five or six. I don’t know why. Perhaps it’s because there are more people living in our house. Maybe all my neighbors have trash compactors. Maybe their garbage cans are bigger and better than mine. But we have more garbage than anybody else. Every Wednesday all my garbage cans are full. I feel a little self-conscious about it. I sometimes help the men who pick up my garbage. I help them lift the cans and dump it in the truck. One morning I bought them donuts. I thought I should give them something. All I give them is garbage – and lots of it! So I gave them donuts and they accepted them. Sin is like garbage. Everybody has garbage. I have more than others. There was a time when my life was so trashed. I had so much garbage piled up I couldn’t see. Shame. Guilt. It overwhelmed me. But I couldn’t stay out of the garbage. I threw my addiction (my bottles) in the garbage and made vows and promises that I did not keep. I could not stop. At night, I went back to the garbage. Literally! This brought more guilt. More shame. But I couldn’t quit. Then I hurt myself. I hurt others really bad. It woke me up. I came to my senses and cried out “Lord, help me! Save me!” He did. He took my garbage away. Jesus Christ is my garbage man. As I say that I cringe. I almost deleted it. It sounds so irreverent. But it’s true. All I had to give Jesus was garbage – and lots of it! He took it away and told me to stay out of the garbage. Jesus told me to “get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:21). So, by his grace, I accepted his word and he saved me. But I still have garbage in my life. More than anybody else I know. I try to stay out of it. I keep giving it to Jesus and he keeps taking it away. He picks it up every day so that it doesn’t pile up. I feel self-conscious about it. I sometimes try to help him but he always tells me that he has to take care of it. I can’t help him. He has to do all the work. He takes my garbage and I take his grace. I try to give him things to show how grateful I am but my gifts are equivalent to donuts. He doesn’t need my gifts but he accepts them anyway. What an exchange! Garbage for grace. Jesus takes my garbage and I take his grace. He takes my guilt and shame and credits me with his righteousness. Lord, Thank you for saving me. Thank you for the cross. Thank you for your grace and love. Help me to stay out of the garbage. In Jesus name, Amen!